Categories: GeneralSynonyms

MAINSTAY: Synonyms and Related Words. What is Another Word for MAINSTAY?

Need another word that means the same as “mainstay”? Find 23 synonyms for “mainstay” in this overview.

Table Of Contents:

Mainstay as a Noun
Definitions of "Mainstay" as a noun
Synonyms of "Mainstay" as a noun (23 Words)
Usage Examples of "Mainstay" as a noun

The synonyms of “Mainstay” are: pillar, anchor, backbone, keystone, linchpin, lynchpin, central component, centrepiece, prop, cornerstone, bulwark, buttress, chief support, foundation, base, bastion, tower of strength, key player, sinew, right-hand man, right-hand woman, right arm, atlas

Mainstay as a Noun

Definitions of "Mainstay" as a noun

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “mainstay” as a noun can have the following definitions:

A prominent supporter.
A stay that extends from the maintop to the foot of the foremast of a sailing ship.
A central cohesive source of support and stability.
A person or thing on which something else is based or depends.
The forestay that braces the mainmast.

Synonyms of "Mainstay" as a noun (23 Words)

anchor	An anchorman or anchorwoman. An anchor* chain.*
atlas	A figure of a man used as a supporting column. A road atlas.
backbone	The part of a book’s cover that encloses the inner side of the book’s pages and that faces outward when the book is shelved. The backbone* is the part of a communication network that carries the heaviest traffic.*
base	A known line used as a geometrical base for trigonometry. The attack wiped out our forward bases.
bastion	A natural rock formation resembling a man made bastion. The last bastion* of communism.*
bulwark	A person or thing that acts as a defence. The security forces are a bulwark* against the breakdown of society.*
buttress	A support usually of stone or brick; supports the wall of a building. The political police were the main buttress* of the regime.*
central component	A workplace that serves as a telecommunications facility where lines from telephones can be connected together to permit communication.
centrepiece	An item, issue, etc. intended to be a focus of attention. A domestic programme with healthcare as the centrepiece.
chief support	A person who exercises control over workers.
cornerstone	The fundamental assumptions from which something is begun or developed or calculated or explained. A national minimum wage remained the cornerstone* of policy.*
foundation	The action of establishing an institution or organization. Apply moisturizer a few minutes before using foundation.
key player	A list of answers to a test.
keystone	The central principle or part of a policy, system, etc., on which all else depends. The keystone* of campaign reform was the ban on soft money.*
linchpin	Pin inserted through an axletree to hold a wheel on. Nurses are the linchpin* of the National Health Service.*
lynchpin	Pin inserted through an axletree to hold a wheel on.
pillar	Something shaped like a pillar. He is a pillar* of the community.*
prop	A propeller that rotates to push against air. He looked around for a prop* to pin the door open.*
right arm	The interest possessed by law or custom in some intangible thing.
right-hand man	A male subordinate.
right-hand woman	A human female employed to do housework.
sinew	Possessing muscular strength. The sinews in her neck.
tower of strength	A structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building.